Junior talent to the fore

New South Wales is fortunate to have a growing number of talented junior harness racing drivers competing right throughout the state.

Names such as Cameron Hart, Jack Callaghan, Brad Elder, Tom Ison, the Rixons, Phoebe Betts, Seaton Grima, Blake Hughes, Grace Panella, Jemma Coney, and Blake Micallef are all mixing it with the sport’s most astute drivers and displaying experience way beyond their years. And what is even more promising is that you could add many more names to that list.

One young reinsman who has already etched his name into the history books through his efforts over the past month is Menangle Park’s Josh Gallagher.

On December 11, the 21-year-old became one of the youngest reinsmen to have captured an Inter Dominion Grand Final when he won aboard Boncel Benjamin for trainer, Jason Grimson.

For Gallagher, it will be a race he will remember for a lifetime, and it had so many twists and turns along the way.

“It was just an unreal feeling being able to take that Inter Dominion trophy home. It has been almost three weeks since that awesome night and I still have to pinch myself to know that it is was all very real,” said a humble Gallagher.

“But like other things that happen in your life, you just keep rolling on and try and do the best that you can. I am still keen to get to trackwork of a morning with Kerry and Rob, and eager to travel around to the race meetings and drive to the best of my ability, hoping that winners keep coming my way.”

With the Inter Dominion now over, many regional venues will conduct their respective Carnival of Cups features with the immediate attention focusing on Maitland this evening where four heats of the time honoured Inner City Pace will be conducted.

“The $30,000 Group 3 Inner City Pace is one of the highlights on the Hunter Valley’s calendar and always attracts much interest from trainers far, and wide,” said Club administrator Wayne Smith.

“The nominations for the heats are again very strong this year so we can look forward to a great final on Sunday night.”

Looking at the chances for the series, Chevron Art from the Jack Trainor stable will be a major player while Captain Dan and Drum Withers will provide a strong clash in the first heat.

To view the fields for Maitland on Tuesday click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW